Geoff Merrill Reserve Chardonnay 2024
- 92
- $40
- Drink by: 2026-2030
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The fruit here is a blend of Coonawarra (57%) and McLaren Vale (43%). 2024 was an excellent vintage in both regions and the elegance we have seen from the wines emerging from Coonawarra has been most impressive. Combine this with the richness from McLaren Vale. Fermentation was in oak, with maturation for eleven months in a mix of French hogsheads and puncheons, all new. The final wine is a barrel selection. Deep gold in colour, this is a big and bold style of Chardonnay, and it does exhibit some buttery oak, something that some wine lovers find a little off-putting while others absolutely adore. There are also notes of stone fruits, apricots and nectarines with nuts and a hint of toast, along with gentle citrus and melon touches. There is a rich, almost oily palate and the wine has decent length. Plush and unctuous, it should continue to provide pleasure over the next four years. Those who do love that buttery style of Chardonnay can ratchet the score up a couple of points.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
